Workers prep former CityFest site for new downtown hotel

Above and below, workers with the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation began tearing up the pavement on the CityFest lot in downtown Tuscaloosa on Friday.

Robert Sutton | Tuscaloosa News

Staff report

Published: Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 11:27 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation crews are preparing the former CityFest lot for developers who plan to build an Embassy Suites hotel.

Facts

Approved

Developers have plans to construct a $27 million, 154-room Embassy Suites hotel on the site at the corner of Greensboro Avenue and University Boulevard.Construction is expected to be completed by June 2014.

The city-owned property known as the CityFest lot will change hands March 31. Developers have plans to construct an eight-story Embassy Suites hotel on the 2.02-acre tract at the corner of Greensboro Avenue and University Boulevard.

The University of Alabama Office of Archeological Research will soon complete an archaeological study of the property, said Deidre Stalnaker, spokeswoman for the city of Tuscaloosa.

The Tuscaloosa City Council approved the plans by Memphis-based Kemmons Wilson Companies to build a $27 million, 154-room hotel at the site.

Amenities will include an indoor lap pool, 5,478 feet of conference space, a hotel restaurant and bar, a second restaurant and bar area that will be leased, a lounge and dining room, exterior veranda with dining areas, a rooftop bar and lounge and a fitness room.

Construction is expected to be completed by June 2014, according to Birmingham-based construction and engineering firm Robins & Morton.

City leaders have wanted to sell the lot to developers for years. It was appraised for $4.3 million in 2008, but no buyer emerged. Interest piqued when the appraised value dropped to $1.69 million. Three developers submitted proposals in August before the City Council chose to sell the lot to Kemmons Wilson.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation crews are preparing the former CityFest lot for developers who plan to build an Embassy Suites hotel. </p><p>The city-owned property known as the CityFest lot will change hands March 31. Developers have plans to construct an eight-story Embassy Suites hotel on the 2.02-acre tract at the corner of Greensboro Avenue and University Boulevard.</p><p>The University of Alabama Office of Archeological Research will soon complete an archaeological study of the property, said Deidre Stalnaker, spokeswoman for the city of Tuscaloosa.</p><p>The Tuscaloosa City Council approved the plans by Memphis-based Kemmons Wilson Companies to build a $27 million, 154-room hotel at the site. </p><p>Amenities will include an indoor lap pool, 5,478 feet of conference space, a hotel restaurant and bar, a second restaurant and bar area that will be leased, a lounge and dining room, exterior veranda with dining areas, a rooftop bar and lounge and a fitness room.</p><p>Construction is expected to be completed by June 2014, according to Birmingham-based construction and engineering firm Robins & Morton.</p><p>City leaders have wanted to sell the lot to developers for years. It was appraised for $4.3 million in 2008, but no buyer emerged. Interest piqued when the appraised value dropped to $1.69 million. Three developers submitted proposals in August before the City Council chose to sell the lot to Kemmons Wilson.</p>